Taxi Accident Claims

When can I make a taxi accident compensation claim?

You may be eligible to make a taxi accident compensation claim if you are involved in a taxi accident caused by someone else’s negligence. The criteria for a claim are as follows:

• You were owed a duty of care by a taxi driver or other road users.
• An accident happened because someone failed in this duty of care.
• You were injured as a result of the accident.

The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that taxi drivers have a legal duty of care toward their passengers. This includes driving safely and ensuring their vehicles meet safety standards.

Our legal team will help you to prove that you were injured through negligence.

The negligent party in a taxi accident compensation claim could be the taxi driver, another road user, or the party responsible for the condition of the road. The majority of claims have to be made within three years of the taxi accident happening.

Speak to our no win no fee road accident solicitors at Beacon Law if you’ve been involved in a taxi accident. If it was caused by negligence we’ll explain the process of claiming for your injuries, and for any money you’ve lost.

Can I make a no win no fee taxi accident compensation claim?

Yes, if you make a taxi accident compensation claim with Beacon Law our expert personal injury solicitors will work on a no win no fee basis. This means you pay nothing up-front, or as we investigate, gather evidence on your claim, and negotiate with the other party.

If your claim is successful we will take a success fee of 25% of the compensation we win for you. If the compensation claim fails then the costs of the other party will be covered by insurance we take out for you.

Our no win no fee approach means that you can make a taxi accident compensation claim with no risk of being out of pocket. The only time we charge for a taxi accident claim is when a client misleads us, exaggerates the facts, or is dishonest.

How much compensation could I get for a taxi accident compensation claim?

The compensation you could get for a taxi accident compensation claim will vary depending on your injuries. The final amount could range from a couple of thousand pounds for a minor injury, to hundreds of thousands of pounds if you are permanently injured.

The amount of compensation paid for a taxi accident compensation claim will reflect the following facts:

• Where you are injured and how severe it is.
• The pain and distress your injuries have caused you.
• The psychological impact of your injuries, such as anxiety, stress and depression.
• The treatment your injuries require, now and in the future.
• Whether you are expected to make a recovery.
• The degree to which your injuries stop you doing things like pursuing hobbies, interests and your social life.
• The financial impact your injuries have.

The final compensation amount will consist of general damages and special damages.

What are general damages in a taxi accident compensation claim?

General damages in a taxi accident compensation claim are paid to reflect your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The amount will be decided with the help of the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).

The JCG sets out recommended payment ranges for specific injuries. Examples in the latest edition which could apply to a taxi accident claim include:

• A simple fracture of the forearm – £8,060 to £23,430
• Multiple fractures of facial bones – £18,180 to £29,220
• Loss or damage to two front teeth – £3,710 to £6,510
• Back injury with serious permanent symptoms – £26,050 to £36,390
• Paraplegia (loss of leg function) – £267,340 to £346,890

Once we have a firm understanding of your injuries the no win no fee solicitors at Beacon Law will estimate the general damages we think you could receive.

What are special damages in a taxi accident compensation claim?

Special damages in a taxi accident compensation claim are compensation for the financial impact of your injuries. They will cover any earnings you lose as a direct result of the injuries, and direct expenses.

The expenses covered by special damages include the following:

• Compensation for the cost of medical treatment now and in the future.
• Compensation for the cost of any care needed due to your injuries now and in the future.
• Compensation for any time spent by friends or family caring for you free of charge.
• Compensation for money spent adapting your home or vehicle to allow for your injuries.
• Compensation for money spent on specialist equipment needed because of your injuries.
• Compensation for money spent on therapy or counselling to deal with the psychological impact of your injuries.

Is there a time limit on making a taxi accident compensation claim?

Yes, there is a time limit of three years on making a taxi accident claim. The time limit runs from the date of the accident itself, with a few exceptions.

The three year limit applies to the majority of personal accident compensation claims, as outlined in The Limitation Act 1980.

After the three years have passed you will no longer be entitled to start a taxi accident claim.

Are there any exceptions to the three year limit on taxi accident compensation claims?

Yes, there are some exceptions to the three year limit on taxi accident compensation claims:

• If the injured party is under eighteen at the time of the taxi accident then the three year limit will date from their 18th birthday. You can also claim as parent or guardian on behalf of a child injured in a taxi accident, prior to their 18th birthday.
• If the injured party doesn’t have the mental capacity to claim during the three years then the time limit will run from the date on which they regain capacity. If they don’t regain capacity, then a trusted family member could claim for them.

If the compensation claim is being made on behalf of a person who sadly dies as a result of a taxi accident then the claim will have to start within three years of the date of death.

Despite the three year time limit, the road traffic accident claims solicitors at Beacon Law recommend starting a taxi accident compensation claim as soon as possible after the accident. It will be easier to collect the evidence needed to show negligence in the immediate aftermath of an accident.

What evidence will I need to make a taxi accident compensation claim?

To make a taxi accident compensation claim you’ll need evidence to prove that:

• The accident happened because someone else was negligent.
• You suffered injuries in the accident.

You’ll also need to show the impact the injuries have had in terms of pain, distress, loss of amenity and your finances. It will help if you can bring evidence to us when you contact Beacon Law, but we will pull together any evidence you aren’t able to provide.

The evidence for your taxi accident claim will include:

• Your own detailed account of the accident and its impact, including the date, time and location.
• Statements from any witnesses to the taxi accident.
• Photographs of the scene of the accident.
• Any available dashcam footage of the accident.
• Helmet cam footage of the taxi accident where relevant.
• The police report on the accident.
• Your medical records, particularly those dealing with your injuries and the treatment needed.
• Paperwork detailing the financial impact of the injuries, such as bank statements, wage slips and receipts for any direct expenses.

In most taxi accident compensation cases we will also arrange a medical examination with an independent expert. They will then produce a report setting out the full detail of your injuries, and the prognosis for any recovery.

What kind of taxi accidents can I claim compensation for?

If you are injured in a taxi accident you may be able to make a compensation claim if you can show that another party acted negligently. Taxi accident compensation claims can be based on collisions between vehicles or between taxis and pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

What kind of injuries can I make a taxi accident compensation claim for?

You can make a taxi accident compensation claim for any kind of injury that happens during a taxi accident caused by negligence. The seriousness of the injury you suffer will be reflected in the amount of compensation you could receive.

Injuries which our road traffic accident claim solicitors commonly deal with as part of taxi accident claims include the following:

• Bruising
• Whiplash
• Cuts and abrasions
• Fractures or broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains
• Injuries to the back and spine
• Internal bruising
• Injuries to internal organs
• Injuries to the head or brain

What should I do after a taxi accident?

If you are a passenger involved in a taxi accident you should ensure that you are safe and seek medical treatment. As well as helping with your injuries, the treatment will create an official record.

In addition to accessing prompt treatment you should do the following, if possible:

• Report the accident to the police.
• Note down the licence plates of all vehicles involved in the accident, and the taxi driver’s operating licence.
• Take contact details from anyone else involved in the taxi accident.
• Take contact details of any witnesses to the taxi accident.
• Take photographs of the scene of the accident and the position of the vehicles involved, if it is safe to do so.

If you think that the taxi accident happened because someone acted negligently, then contact our specialist solicitors at Beacon Law. After a free consultation we’ll explain whether you have a strong case for compensation.

Why should I choose Beacon Law for my taxi accident compensation claim?

You should choose Beacon Law for your taxi accident compensation claim because we handle every type of personal injury claim. Whether you’re a passenger, a pedestrian or another road user we’ll know how to prove negligence.

We can draw on more than 200 years’ worth of combined legal experience. That’s why we are able to settle the vast majority of taxi accident claims without having to go to court.

We understand how stressful it can be to suffer injuries in an accident that wasn’t your fault. At the same time as fighting for your compensation,
we will help you to access treatment and the wider support available.

We handle taxi accident compensation claims on a no win no fee basis. You can claim compensation for your injuries without worrying about costs or legal fees.